Sheriff's office expects BISD's Jessie Haynes to turn herself in

By Brooke Crum

Published 11:20 am, Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Beaumont ISD spokeswoman Jessie Haynes, who was charged with a class B misdemeanor Monday, can turn herself in at any law enforcement agency in Texas, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

Haynes has yet to turn herself in, and there is no set time limit for when she must do so, said Rod Carroll, spokesman for the sheriff's office. Right now, felony arrest warrants take precedence over her misdemeanor arrest warrant.

"I have no doubt she will probably turn herself in," Carroll said.

If Haynes does not turn herself in, the sheriff's office will begin actively pursuing her, he said.

Typically, in a misdemeanor case like this arrests are not made, Maness said. The sheriff's office notifies people when they have been charged with misdemeanors so they can turn themselves in after finding an attorney.

Haynes' bond will likely be less than $500, Maness said.

The Jefferson County District Attorney's Office filed charges against Haynes on Monday for obstructing a public passageway.

On Aug. 1, Haynes blocked district board member Mike Neil and a journalist from entering a hallway in the district's administration building where a press conference was taking place.

Surveillance video of the incident released by BISD showed Haynes blocking a set of double doors to prevent Neil and Setinvestigates.com editor Jerry Jordan from entering a news conference with the district's attorney, Melody Chappell.

When Neil reached around Haynes to open the door, he placed his hand on her elbow to move her out of the way as he pulled the door toward them both, the footage shows. Later, as she walked away, Haynes is seen shoving Neil in the arm.

"As a result of an investigation submitted by the Beaumont ISD, a case was filed charging Jessie Haynes of obstructing a public passageway, Section 42.03 of the Texas Penal Code," Maness said.